June 14 , 2005

For more information contact:
Mike Winfrey
michael.winfrey@dot.iowa.gov
515-237-3219

New law for farm truck safety inspection takes effect July 1

AMES, Iowa – A new law taking effect July 1 seeks to ensure trucks used in farming operations are properly inspected for safety.

Prior to July 1, nearly 30,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks have been exempt from the annual federal motor carrier safety inspection requirement because they are used by the vehicle owners only and not used for hire. These “special plate” vehicles are used by people engaged in farming to transport commodities produced by the owner, or transport commodities purchased by the owner for use in the owner's farming operation.

The change in Iowa law is being made after discussions with officials of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration concluded Iowa's current exemption of these vehicles from motor carrier safety inspections was outside the federal guidelines. Failure to comply could have jeopardized up to $2 million the state of Iowa receives for Iowa's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program for purposes of enforcing commercial motor vehicle operations.

After July 1, annual vehicle inspections must be performed by a qualified inspector to check all vehicle parts and accessories to ensure they are in safe and in proper operating condition. If the owner of the vehicle also maintains it, it is possible that owner may be a qualified inspector.

The DOT will be issuing warnings to vehicle owners until Sept. 30 to comply with the new law. After Oct. 1, citations will be issued if an owner cannot prove the truck has been properly inspected.

To find out more about the new regulations, call 800-925-6469, visit the DOT's Web site at www.dot.state.ia.us or go to

http://www.dmvs.ga.gov/forms/pdf/enforce/Annual_Periodic_Vehicle_Inspection_Report.pdf .

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